Wisconsin tourism officials want to change the image of America's Dairyland. They are not satisfied with being known for cheese, the Packers, brats, beer and walleye fishing. Nope. They want to reinvent the state's brand. That's marketing talk for: Let's spend money!
The Hound thinks they're a little late for that. State tourism officials say Wisconsin is much more than the above- mentioned list of fun things to do in the Badger State. And, they also need a new brand to compete for jobs.
Here's a slogan they can use for free: "Just north of Illinois".
Most of the tourists in Wisconsin come from Illinois. Illinois green makes Wisconsin green. Come to think of it, many of the businesses have come from Illinois, too. Like Abbott Laboratories, which is building a mega-complex off Interstate 94 in Kenosha County. Or how about Hospira, Ocean Spray, UlIne, Rust-Oleum and Cherry Electric. Did The Hound forget Outboard Marine?
One member of the state Assembly said Wisconsin needs "to create the image of the hotshot state that we are." Surely, he jests. "Hotshot" state. That's cheesehead logic for you. Hot is something Wisconsin will never be and besides, it shouldn't be. Shot, well, that's something different around deer season. OK, that may be a stereotype, but The Hound at one time hung around a few deer camps.
Wisconsin officials expect to unveil this new branding come March. Here's another one they can have for free: "Wisconsin. We're more than cheese! " That's similar to The Hound's favorite which was rejected the last time the state talked about rebranding: "Eat cheese or die".
At that time they settled for "Wisconsin, life's so good!" But that's only if the Packers win, ya hey.
"Wisconsin: Gateway to the U.P."
I am curious to know why these companies are moving up to Wisconsin because I was told by a customer when the packers are around or it's hunting season you can't get anyone to work in Wisconsin. He hires Illinois people to work for him.
THE HOUND SEZ: The companies are moving to Wisconsin because they have a better road network, they have a governor and legislature that are not anti-business or want to tax business out of their state. If he hires Illinois people to work for him Illinoisans are no where to be found when the Bears are winning and if you've ever been to downstate Illinois, the absentee rate is about what it is in Wisconsin during hunting season.